The Roosters are never far from the action when it comes to player movement in the NRL, with several players linked with moves to and from the Bondi Junction club.
Departing Manly halfback Daly Cherry-Evans remains the biggest name on the market, with the Roosters reportedly in the box seat to sign the Maroons star.
To fit DCE’s contract, expected to be worth around $800,000, into their cap, the Roosters may need to make some room elsewhere on their roster.
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Nine reporter Danny Weidler spoke about some of the movement going on at the club in recent weeks.
“Sandon Smith… I know that a little while ago, the Roosters tried to upgrade and extend him… for around $400,000 a year,” Weidler said on the Big Sports Breakfast.
“He said ‘no.’ Whether that suddenly develops into a situation where Sandon, if he keeps playing well, and they’re worried about signing Cherry, whether they could keep him as well.
“I found it unusual, even before the Cherry talk started, that [Smith] knocked it back.
“There was also a fair bit of talk around Magic Round that the Roosters are shopping Daniel Tupou to Japanese rugby.
“They’ve now decided that they’ve got him on contract for next year, they’re going to keep him.
“He’s never really been on big money, he’s always been paid a bit under. That looks like settling down.”
While Tupou is set to remain at the club, there’s less certainty around the future of fellow winger Dominic Young.
The Englishman, who joined the club last year on a deal reported to be worth more than $500,000 per season, has lost his place in the side to Mark Nawaqanitawase, with Robert Toia and Billy Smith finding form in the centres.
“For Dom Young, the other winger, there’s a lot of chatter that he’s on the way out. Even though he’s got a contract,” Weidler added.
“Newcastle have heard that chatter, where he was before, and, while they haven’t heard anything official, they’re definitely keeping an eye on it. Because I think they could see him back at that club one day.”
Young, who is contracted through to the end of 2027 with the Tricolours, played three seasons for the Knights before joining the Roosters, scoring 43 tries in 51 games.
His try-scoring form has continued at his new club, with 25 in 29 outings, although question marks over his defence have seen him fall out of favour.
Greg Marzhew and James Schiller currently occupy the wing spots at Newcastle.